The town of Rustenburg was established in 1851 as an administrative centre for a fertile farming region where citrus fruit, tobacco, peanuts, sunflower seeds, maize, wheat and cattle are produced

Rustenburg was the home of Paul Kruger who was the president of the South African Republic

Paul Kruger Country Museum

Rustenburg's population is predominantly Batswana

Many inhabitants of Rustenburg belong to the Royal Bafokeng Nation

Introducing Rustenburg

The South African city of Rustenburg is located at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range in the country's North West Province. Rustenburg lies in close proximity to the Phokeng, the capital of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, where the Royal Bafokeng Stadium can be found. Rustenburg is one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa. It is home to two of the largest platinum mines in the world and the world's largest platinum refinery, Precious Metal Refiners / PMR, which processes around 70% of the world's platinum.Rustenburg's population is predominantly Batswana. Many inhabitants of Rustenburg belong to the Royal Bafokeng Nation.

History of Rustenburg, North West Province (South Africa)

The town of Rustenburg in South Africa was established in 1851 as an administrative centre for a fertile farming region where citrus fruit, tobacco, peanuts, sunflower seeds, maize, wheat and cattle are produced.

As one of the oldest Boer settlements in the northern parts of South Africa, Rustenburg was the home of Paul Kruger who was the president of the South African Republic. Paul Kruger bought a 5 square kilometer farm here in 1863. Today, the homestead on his farm which is called Boekenhoutfontein, is the Paul Kruger Country Museum.Among the first residents of Rustenburg were settlers of Indian origin such as the Bhyat family, whose contribution to Rustenburg's history was marked by the renaming of a major streetname to Fatima Bhayat Street in honour of Fatima Bhyat who arrived in Rustenburg with her husband in 1877.

The Platinum Hub: Rustenburg , North West Province (South Africa)

The city of Rustenburg serves as a service centre for industries such as the agricultural communities surrounding the town, the platinum mining industry and the local manufacturing and product distribution industries.

Due to the mainly dry climatic conditions in this region of South Africa, agriculture is made up of the farming of livestock such as cattle and game as well as small stock including poultry for egg production. The cultivation of citrus and irrigated crops such as tobacco and wheat, flowers and many plant nurseries are also present here.

Most of the mining focuses around platinum on the Merensky Reef which stretches from the west of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve towards Marikana and Brits in the east. The two largest platinum mines in the world are located here. Asbestos, tin, chrome, lead, marble, granite and slate are also produced here.

Rustenburg: the Tourist Hub of South Africa's North West Province

Rustenburg is situated on important highway routes and in close proximity to two major centres, making it a hub for tourist activities. Within the city of Rustenburg, one can find several historic churches, including the Anglican Church (1871) and the Dutch Reformed Church (1898), the historic statue of the Voortrekker girl and the Rustenburg
Museum.

There are numerous sites of cultural and historical importance in and around Rustenburg, North West Province. This is based on the fact that that many different communities are located in this area, such as the indigenous Bafokeng, Bakgatla and Botswana tribes, whose tribal traditions are of much interest. There is also the German community of Kroondal which traces its origins back to 1857.

Anglo-Boer and ethnic war battles took place here with the districts of Koster, Swartruggens and Rustenburg being home to prominent battlefields, memorial graves and ruined forts. This particular region of South Africa also features archaeological remains from the Iron Age and Stone Age.

Game Reserves and National Parks near Rustenberg, South Africa

town of Rustenburg across a varied habitat of quartzite mountain peaks. Hikers as well as vehicles have access to this game reserve. The Kgaswane Game Reserve is a 4 257 ha reserve which is home to a vast range of viewing experiences to wildlife enthusiasts.

The Madikwe Game Reserve and the Groot Marico Park are vast game reserves set north of the Pilanesberg. These two parks are conservation and transition zones between the Kalahari sandveld and the thornveld. The malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve is home to all main plains species, including the 'Big Five' and has the second largest concentration of elephants in South Africa. The Madikwe Game Reserve is one of South Africa's great natural treasures.

The magnificent Pilanesberg Game Reserve is one of the most accessible game reserves in South Africa. The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is located only 2 hours away from Johannesburg and Pretoria can be found right outside the town of Rustenburg. The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is the fourth largest National Park in South Africa and is set high in the Pilanesberg range. Nestling on an ancient, long-extinct volcano, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve conserves all the major mammal species including lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.

Sun City Holiday Resort near Rustenburg, North West Province (South Africa)

The Sun City Resort and Lost City are located adjacent to the spectacular Pilanesberg Game Reserve. This Entertainmant and Casino Resort is set on the slopes of a picturesque valley in the Pilanesberg Mountains and captures the essence of an ancient African kingdom. Several casinos, the exciting water world Valley of the Waves, two world-renowned championship golf courses (Gary Player Golf Course and Lost City Golf Course), many restaurtants, bars and lounges are just some of the many attractions found at the Sun City Resort in South Africa.

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